Erdman shared with the news outlet a map of all the places he has rat baiting traps in people’s yards throughout the city. They span from Lambeau Field, to Fisk Park to areas around UW-Green Bay.

Although it’s not unusual for Erdman to been inundated with rat calls this time of year, he told Action 2 that recent construction may have them popping up in places they’ve never been seen before. (CLICK HERE to read the entire article).

Erdman was the subject of “Keeping the Mouse Out,” a feature included in PCT’s August issue that explored Erdye’s Pest Control uses its knowledge of construction practices to solve mice infestations.

ABC Home & Commercial Services Breaks Ground on Corpus Christi Office

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — ABC Home & Commercial Services had a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 8, for its new office building at 1022 McBride Lane, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

In addition to many chamber members, ABC employees, and their family members, the groundbreaking ceremony included Cleofas Rodriguez and Efrain Franco Jr. from United Chamber of Commerce; Carolyn Vaughn from City Council; Bob Dickson, Cliff Dickson, and Randy Finch from Dickson Builders; the building’s architect, Murray Bass; Richard Scanio, Stan Tucker, and Jim Picket of American Bank.

“It is truly a great honor to work with an organization and owners that believe in investing not only in the community it serves, but in their employees as well,” said Vic Valentine, general manager of ABC Home & Commercial Services - Corpus Christi. “This is great for both ABC Home & Commercial Services and the Coastal Bend area.”

The new building, being built by Dickson Builders, is set to be complete by February 2018 date where there will be a 10,000 SF warehouse and a 3,000 SF office building for managers, service personnel, sales inspectors, and customer service representatives.

ABC Home & Commercial Services has been in the Corpus Christi area since 2014 and offers pest, rodent, lawn, AC & heating, plumbing, holiday and event lighting, and smart home services for both residential and commercial needs.

New Book Explores the Purpose of Insects in the World

The most recent examination of the role insects play in our world is “God & the World of Insects,” written by entomologists and longtime industry professionals Josh Shoemaker and Gary Braness.

Shoemaker is an Associate Certified Entomologist with more than 20 years experience in urban pest management. He has taught hundreds of seminars on insect and arachnid biology and is a former adjunct professor at Arizona Christian University. Braness, a PhD, is consulting entomologist and owner of Yosemite Environmental Services, Fresno, Calif. His research has been published in the Journal of Economic Entomology and many of his articles have appeared in industry trade magazines.

The book is described as an exploration “viewed through the eyes of entomologists and scientists who believe in a Creator God. The chapters discuss the design, nature, and purpose of insects in the world while at the same time showing the beauty and diversity of insects.” Contributors consider such topics as the vision of bees, the importance of ants, and the role of insects in advancing technology and drug therapy.

Among the questions addressed are:• Are insects protectors or destroyers of the ecosystem?• Why are there insects such as mosquitoes and cockroaches?• Do insects suffer?• How should humans respond to the world of insects?

Here is a sampling of reviews from the authors’ pest control industry colleagues:

“God & the World of Insects” is an insightful look at the complex world of insects through the eyes of entomologists/scientists who believe in a Creator God. This book presents evidence of design, common blueprint and purpose of the Creator, by pointing to the beauty and diverse insect world as a demonstration of His plan. The authors challenge the reader to open their eyes and their minds to see both the beauty and diversity of the insect world through the Creator’s design. I would hope that this book would not only be read and contemplated, but also become weather-beaten by being part of one’s scientific reference library.—Paul Baker, PhD Emeritus, Professor of Entomology, University of Arizona

The superb diversity of arthropod taxa, together with the chemicals of which they are comprised, is aptly represented in this well-written and unique work. Rarely is any effort given to herald the providential hand of our Creator God in jeweling each ecosystem with a plethora of insects, mites, arachnids and related taxa to populate every acre with enough creatures for inexhaustible life- or eternity-long study. The coeditors and authors do a splendid job in shepherding us onto a trail of exploration of this symphony of creatures interdependent through complex dietary webs. Interweaving of God’s lovingly written word into this volume provides a conceptual foundation that should foster creative research where we partner with God instead of being divorced from any notion of purposeful design. Topics range from the masterpiece of bee vision and eloquent metamorphosis to the incredible beauty of adaptive functionality generating arthropod chemicals useful in innovative pest control and drug therapy. Insects may best exemplify that there are always exceptions to any human theoretical rule, and that all creation brings glory to God.—Chris Mullen, PhD, Professor of Insect Toxicology, Penn State University

In this masterfully written work, Josh Shoemaker and the contributing authors remind us of the inseparable relationships between science and faith, evolution and intelligent design, and finally, God and our universe. I highly recommend this book to all who want to further understand the relationship between the Creator and the created order.—Mike Masterson, Founder and CEO of Isotech Pest Management, Host of Verminators on The Discovery Channel

CDC Updates Map Showing Estimated U.S. Range for Pair of Mosquitoes

CDC has updated the estimated range maps for Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes by using a model that predicts possible geographic ranges for these mosquitoes in the contiguous United States. The model used county-level records, historical records, and suitable climate variables to predict the likelihood (very low, low, moderate, or high) that these mosquitoes could survive and reproduce if introduced to an area during the months when mosquitoes are locally active. These maps include areas where mosquitoes are or have been previously found. Maps do not represent risk for spread of disease. Ae. aegypti mosquitoes are more likely than Ae. albopictus mosquitoes to spread viruses like Zika, dengue, chikungunya and other viruses.

These maps show*The estimated range maps have been updated using a predictive model that used county-level records, historical records, and suitable climate variables to predict the likelihood (very low, low, moderate, or high) that these mosquitoes could survive and reproduce if introduced to an area during the months when mosquitoes are locally active.*These maps show CDC’s best estimate of the potential range of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in the contiguous United States.*These maps include areas where mosquitoes are or have been previously found.*Maps do not represent risk for spread of disease.

These maps DO NOT show*Likelihood that these mosquitoes will spread viruses. Shaded areas on the map do not necessarily mean that there are infected mosquitoes in that area.*Numbers of mosquitoes: These maps do not show how many mosquitoes are living in an area. Mosquito population numbers vary widely across the shaded areas on the map, from high numbers of mosquitoes in some parts of the contiguous United States to rare reports of mosquitoes further north.*Exact locations of mosquitoes: These maps are CDC’s best estimate of where mosquitoes could potentially live. *Actual mosquito populations will vary by state and county. Mosquito populations may be found in an area that is not shaded on the maps and may not be found in all shaded areas.*CDC is not able to predict exactly how much Zika or other viruses spread by Ae. aegypti or Ae. albopictus could spread if and when local mosquito-borne transmission is detected.

Expect High Pest Pressure in Fall and Winter, NPMA Reports

FAIRFAX, Va, — The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) released its bi-annual Bug Barometer, forecasting what pest pressure will look like across the U.S. this coming fall and winter. After analyzing recent weather patterns – from substantial flooding in some regions, to extreme heat in others – and considering pest biology, NPMA’s staff entomologists are expecting high pest pressure from the summer to persist. (Download the Bug Barometer).

“Ticks and mosquitoes will continue to thrive later into the fall due to ongoing heat and floods, while usual fall pests, like rodents, will also join them in stronger numbers,” said Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., the chief entomologist and vice president of technical and regulatory affairs for the NPMA. “The extended summer pest activity, combined with the high pressure expected from fall pests, will make the upcoming seasons particularly pest heavy. There’s also an added health concern given that ticks, mosquitoes and rodents are all capable of transmitting diseases to humans.”

The NPMA’s Bug Barometer is forecasting the following pest patterns across the U.S. this fall and winter:

Pacific Northwest: The region experienced severe heat waves and dryness, increasing rodent populations and driving these pests into residential areas for water. Mice are expected to be a bigger problem this year, as they’ll stay indoors when temperatures cool in the fall.

Southwest & West Coast: Exceptionally hot temperatures will increase cockroach and ant pressure, moving them into buildings as the heat persists into fall. Outdoors, expect to see more spiders and stinging insects with food still abundant in these warm conditions. The combination of flooding and heat can also increase mosquito populations until drier weather returns.

Midwest: The mild spring and warm summer boosted rodent populations, and mice will invade homes in the fall for food and shelter. If rainfall continues, greater numbers of crawling pests, such as earwigs and millipedes, will seek higher ground indoors.

Southeast: Mosquito populations will persist well into the fall, as the standing water from the summer’s heavy rainfall in many areas provides ideal conditions for mosquito breeding grounds. Higher termite and ant activity in the fall will also result from the warm, wet weather.

Northeast: Areas with consistent rainfall and warmth allowed stink bugs and ladybugs to flourish. Expect a higher number of these insects to move indoors as temperatures cool in the fall. Tick populations, which spiked this summer, will continue to stay high until temperatures drop, and the cooler weather will also drive rodents indoors for the winter.

For more information on NPMA’s Bug Barometer or to learn more about protecting against common household pests, visit PestWorld.org.